IT is good that the government has learnt a lesson from the 2005 flood, and avoided a recurrence by putting in place mechanisms to tackle major flooding. It is also good to read of the various steps being taken like increasing the capacity of drainage to accommodate the heavy rains by building more canals, desilting the outfalls and procuring and installing more pumps. We hope that this problem is looked at in a comprehensive manner by a competent technical team in three phases: immediate, intermediate and long term to come up with the best solutions. Faced with climate change and so much of the most highly populated areas basically below sea level, we need to see what drainage outlets were filled in parts of the city that can be resurrected or equivalent ones designed.

Also, should we not start encouraging and planning movement to a higher ground, as part of a long-term strategy?  A new, well-planned future modern city on higher ground for our capital seems desirable, if not essential.